Final answer:
Dr. Smartypants has conducted a longitudinal research study by following groups of individuals of different ages and interviewing them about their health statuses every 5 years over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study conducted by Dr. Smartypants is a type of longitudinal research. This research design involves following the same group of individuals over an extended period of time and collecting data from them at regular intervals. By interviewing the groups of 60-year-olds, 70-year-olds, and 80-year-olds every 5 years, Dr. Smartypants can observe how their health statuses change over time.
This approach allows the researcher to observe changes within the same individuals or group across different time periods, making it possible to identify any trends or patterns in health status as the subjects age.